The Calcutta High Court on Thursday stayed the panchayat election process in West Bengal till further orders.
It has also asked the State Election Commission to submit a status report taking into account the complaints of people from the Opposition parties who could not file the nomination papers. The next hearing is scheduled on April 16.
The last day for filing nominations for the panchayat polls, which are to be held from May 1, was April 9. However, on the evening of April 9, the State Election Commission had decided to extend the deadline for filing the nomination by a day, owing to widespread allegations against the ruling party for unleashing terror.
The decision was then subsequently reversed on April 10, following a petition from Trinamool Congress. Based on a petition from BJP, the Calcutta High Court, had on April 10, issued a stay order on the cancellation of the deadline extension notice.